DAVID Dein belongs back in football - according to his close
friend, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Dein was deposed as vice-chairman three weeks ago after a fallout
with the board over the possible involvement of American billionaire
Stan Kroenke in the club.

But Wenger revealed that the pair remain in close touch and that
there should be a place for Dein in football. Wenger said: "He may
not be at the club but he is still a friend so of course we talk.

"Whether he will return at Arsenal, I do not know. Will he
stay in football? Yes. Will he come back to the club? I don't know.

"But David Dein is needed in football because this guy has
revolutionised this club and also English football. He is top
quality."

Wenger is still seething over the fine imposed on him by the FA
after his tunnel clash with referee Steve Bennett at halftime during the
clash with Portsmouth at The Emirates.

Wenger, who was fined pounds 2,500 for the confrontation, said:
"I was punished for what happened against Portsmouth and frankly
that was a joke.

"If I have been punished for what I said, I know some managers
who would now be in jail!

"When you see what is said to referees in the corridors, I
can't believe it. What I said to him was, 'For ****'s
sake, where did you see a free-kick there?' It is nothing compared
to what I have seen and heard."

Wenger wants to see a tougher approach from his team in away games
next season, especially against sides in the bottom half of the table.

He said: "Maybe we need to look at the team structure in those
kind of games."

CAPTION(S):

ARSENE WENGER

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